Complete coverage! Bal Thackeray's Final Journey

The cortege of the late Bal Thackeray will proceed from his residence, Matoshree, at Kalanagar in Bandra (East) to Shivaji Park in Dadar via Mahim junction and Lady Jamshedji Marg. Following is the time schedule of Thackeray's last journey:

7am: The cortege will leave Matoshree on its way to Shivaji Park.

9am: The body of the late Shiv Sena leader will be placed at a specially erected pandal at Shivaji Park for people to pay their last respects.

5pm: The time for people to pay their respects ends.

6pm: Cremation at the Shivaji Park crematorium.

People visiting Shivaji Park to pay their respects will be allowed entry from the Meenatai Thackeray statue gate and the Samarth Vyayam Mandir gate.

Arrangements have been made for a separate queue for women from the Samarth Vyayam Mandir gate.

Arrangements have been made at the Udyan Ganesh gate for the entry of family and relatives of the departed leader as well as leaders of various political parties. Parking arrangements for these VIPs have been made on Cadell Road (Veer Savarkar Marg).

The media, too, will be allowed entry from the Udyan Ganesh gate.

A separate stage has been set up for members of the electronic media, apart from which they can park their OB vans on the Bal Krida Maidan (children's park) opposite Shivaji Park.

Those arriving from Thane and Mumbai are advised not to use their own vehicles and to use public transport.

Delay in Bal Thackeray's funeral procession scheduleThe cortege of the late Bal Thackeray was scheduled to leave Matoshree on its way to Shivaji Park at 7 am.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 8:04 IST

Raj Thackeray arrives at Matoshree
MNS chief Raj Thackeray arrived at his late uncle's home for the funeral rites. Crowds gather outside Matoshree as they wait for the body of the Shiv Sena chief to be brought out.

Raj ThackerayTakes stock of security
As crowds and admirers of Bal Thackeray wait for the body of the Shiv Sena chief to be brought out, MNS chief Raj Thackeray was spotted checking out security arrangements outside Matoshree.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:00 IST

Thackeray family leave Matoshree
Rashmi, Sharmila and Aditya Thackeray leave Matoshree as the family members come out of the house for Bal Thackeray's final journey.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:04 IST

Bal Thackeray's body brought out
The mortal remains of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray brought outside Matoshree as the procession to Shivaji park is set to commence.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:11 IST

Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray's body taken out of his residence in suburban Mumbai for funeral procession.--PTI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:12 IST

State honours given to Bal Thackeray
As the Shiv Sena chief's body was lead by pall bearers which included Uddhav Thackeray, a state honour was given to the late leader.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:21 IST

Security tightened across Maharashtra as thousands turn up for Bal Thackeray's last journeyTens of thousands of supporters of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray are steaming into Mumbai to attend his funeral to be held on Sunday evening.

The funeral procession would leave Thackeray's Bandra home, Matoshree, at around 8 am A truck will carry his body to Mahim Causeway, then to Sena Bhavan, the Shiv Sena headquarters in Dadar, where Thackeray's fans and friends, prominent leaders as also Sena workers are expected to gather to pay their last respects.

Thereafter, according to television channel reports, the cortege will be taken to the Meena Tai statue in Dadar and finally to Shivaji Park, the place from where Thackeray launched the Shiv Sena during a massive Dussehra rally in 1966.

Thackeray's body will be kept at the Shivaji Park till 5 pm for people to pay their respects and his last rites will be performed at 6 pm.

Security has been tightened across Maharashtra to prevent any untoward incident that arise as news of Thackeray's death filters through. In Mumbai, 48,000 security personnel have been roped in to maintain a tight vigil during the day of the funeral.

At Matoshree, presently, there is a three-tier security that includes the Mumbai Police in the first layer, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the second and Shiv Sena volunteers in the third.

Most forms of public transport in the city have been ordered off the roads for the day, but buses have been commandeered to ferry people wishing to pay homage to their iconic leader.

Thackeray died late on Saturday afternoon after a prolonged illness. He was 86.

Till late in the night, there was a crowd of about 6,000 people at Matoshree. About 2,000 cops have been posted there.

Today, at every 100 metres along the route of the funeral procession, 25 policemen will be deployed. The police has issued a traffic advisory and suggested that people stay home, unless absolutely necessary.--ANI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:30 IST

Bal Thackeray's last journey begins

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 9:45 IST

Bal Thackeray's body taken in procession
The final journey of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray began with his body being taken out for funeral procession from his residence in suburban Bandra on Sunday morning amid presence of thousands of grief-stricken Shiv Sainiks, who have come from across Maharashtra.

The body of 86-year-old Sena leader, who breathed his last yesterday, was taken out of his residence 'Matoshree' in a hearse adorned with flowers.

Thackeray, who was critically ill since last Wednesday, was declared dead last afternoon by Dr Jaleel Parkar who was treating him. The Sena chief had been suffering from respiratory problems and pancreatic disease.

According to doctors, Thackeray passed away at 3.33 PM due to cardiac arrest.

Thackeray's cortège will first go to Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters in Dadar, and the body would later be kept at Shivaji Park for people to pay their last respects.

The last rites will be performed at 6 PM at Shivaji Park, where the Sena patriarch addressed his party workers for over four decades since 1966.

"The state government has already announced that Thackeray will be accorded a state funeral," state Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty said.

Extensive security arrangements have been put in place in the state, particularly in Mumbai, with over 20,000 police personnel deployed in the metropolis to keep a tight vigil.

Security has been beefed up at 'Matoshree' and Shivaji Park with vehicular traffic prohibited in and around the area. Shiv Sainiks have also formed a human chain to enable the procession pass smoothly.

Huge crowds walk in processionThe vehicle with Bal Thackeray's body on it makes its way throught the streets of Mumbai as thousands of people walk in procession paying their tribute to the late Sena chief.

Uddhav Thackeray, family members and close party members are also on the open truck with the Sena supremo's mortal remains.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 10:02 IST

Mumbai Police appeal for peace, warn trouble-makers
Mumbai Police appealed to the people to maintain calm in the wake of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's death on Saturday.

In an appeal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said that Shiv Sena activists and other common people from the city and across the state have started pouring in at Thackeray's residence Matoshri in Bandra east to pay tributes.

"We have made elaborate security arrangements across the city to avoid any untoward incidents. A force of around 20,000 Mumbai police, along with 15 companies of State Reserve Police and three companies of Rapid Action Force have been pressed into action for security duties," Singh said in the statement.

Besides, all police stations in the city have been placed on high alert and orders have been given to deal sternly with anyone taking undue advantage of the situation, Singh added.

Strict traffic regulations have been enforced for Sunday in entire Mumbai to ensure a smooth final farewell to Thackeray.

Thackeray passed away around 3.30 pm Saturday. His body will be taken from Matoshri to Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar west at 7 am Sunday and then to Shivaj Park at 10 am It will be kept there for public viewing till evening 5 pm The funeral is likely to be held around 6 pm at the Shivaji Park Crematorium nearby.

The police have also appealed to people not to believe in rumours, step out only in case of emergencies and help maintain peace and calm in the city in view of the tragedy.

In a related development, almost all the cab unions of autorickshaws and taxis, which went off the roads Saturday evening, shall not ply Sunday.

The city administration has made arrangements for special public services from railway stations to various destinations, including Shivaji Park, to minimize inconvenience to the general public.

All public, private business establishments, hotels, restaurants, malls, multiplexes, entertainment centres, etc. are expected to remain shut even Sunday as a mark of respect to the departed leader.--IANS

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 10:24 IST

Shiv Sena prepares for Bal Thackeray's final journeyA sea of grieving people converged since early Sunday in Bandra here as preparations were underway for the funeral of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who passed away on Saturday afternoon.

The funeral cortege, which was expected to start from Matoshri, the residence of the Thackeray clan, was delayed in its journey to the party headquarters in Shivaji Park in Dadar, barely 7 kms towards the south.

The flower bedecked truck on which a glass box carrying Thackeray's body will wend its way from Bandra east to Dadar west via the Mahim Causeway - one of the connecting links between south Mumbai and suburbs over the Mahim Creek.

After allowing several thousands of Shiv Sainiks from all over the state to pay their last respects, the body will be taken to Shivaji Park and kept for a public 'darshan' for over 200,000 people who are expected to turn up.

Mumbai police have made elaborate security arrangements by deploying 20,000 policemen, 15 companies of State Reserve Police and three companies of Rapid Action Force to deal with any situation.

Mumbai, which resembled a ghost city since Saturday evening, has remained calm and peaceful as news of Thackeray's death began to sink in.

All major roads and public places were deserted barring the odd security vehicles, some Shiv Sena activists moving around or a few delayed office-goers scampering home.

Top VVIPs from all over India are expected to arrive for Thackeray's funeral, slated at 6 pm Sunday evening at Shivaji Park.--IANS

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 10:33 IST

Procession reaches Mahim church
The procession with the vehicle carrying Bal Thackeray's body followed by thousands of supporters has crossed Bandra to reach Mahim church as more and more people join in as they pay their tribute to the late Shiv Sena chief.

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 10:56 IST

Thousands of supporters from across Maharashtra gather
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's final journey from his Bandra home, 'Matoshree', to Shivaji Park has begun amid the presence of thousands of supporters, who have come from all across Maharashtra.

Thackeray's is being carried in a glass box on a flower bedecked truck. The body will be taken to Mahim Causeway, then to Sena Bhavan, the Shiv Sena headquarters in Dadar where Thackeray's A-list fans and friends, prominent leaders as also Sena workers are expected to gather, to the Meena Tai statue in Dadar and finally to Shivaji Park.

Thackeray's body will be kept at Shivaji Park till 5 pm for people to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed at 6 pm.

Security has been tightened across Maharashtra to prevent any untoward incident that arise as news of Thackeray's death filters through. In Mumbai, 48,000 security personnel have been roped in to maintain a tight vigil during the day of the funeral

At Matoshree, presently, there is a three-tier security that includes the Mumbai Police in the first layer, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the second and Shiv Sena volunteers in the third.

According to reports, taxis and autorickshaws will remain off the roads today. There will be no cab and autorickshaw services from the city airports - domestic and international - either. BEST has decided to operate extra buses to facilitate travel for the last rites of the Sena leader.

The Central Railway has also cancelled the megablocks on Central and Harbour line services for the same purpose

Bal Thackeray, who was critically ill for the past few days, passed away at his residence 'Matoshree' on Saturday. He was 86

"He had suffered a cardiac arrest. We could not revive him despite our best efforts. He breathed his last at around 3:30 PM," Dr Jalil Parkar, who treated the Sena supremo, told reporters.

Thackeray had been suffering from respiratory problems and pancreatic disease. He is survived by sons Jaidev and Uddhav, who is the Executive President of the party.--ANI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 11:00 IST

A sea of people join Bal Thackeray's funeral procession
Lakhs of people converged since early Sunday as Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's final journey started from his residence Matoshri in suburban Bandra.

Wrapped in the tricolour, Thackeray's body was brought out of his house a little after 9 am. His son, Uddhav, broke down just before the funeral procession started. A glass box carrying the 86-year-old Sena patriarch's body was then loaded onto a flower bedecked truck.

Uddhav, his wife Rashmi and son Aditya were on the same truck, along with Thackeray's nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj, his wife Sharmila and their children.

Thackeray's cortege will first go to Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters in Dadar, and the body would later be kept at Shivaji Park for people to pay their last respects.

The funeral procession that started from Bandra will end at Shivaji Park in Dadar in central Mumbai. Over a lakh people joined in at various connecting roads that lead to the venue where his body is to be kept till Sunday evening.

Over 20,000 policemen, 15 companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and three contingents of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed on the procession route alone.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh has cancelled his daughter's wedding reception party Sunday as a mark of respect to the leader.

After allowing several thousands of Shiv Sainiks from all over the state to pay their last respects, the body will be taken to Shivaji Park and kept for a public 'darshan' for over 200,000 people who are expected to turn up.

All major roads and public places wore a deserted look, barring the odd security vehicles, some Shiv Sena activists moving around or a few delayed office-goers scampering home.--IANS

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 11:02 IST

First public cremation in Mumbai
Bal Thackeray's mortal remains will be consigned to flames on a specially-erected public platform at the historic Shivaji Park, south-central Mumbai, on Sunday evening, marking the first time a public cremation has occurred in Mumbai since independence.

Supercop and ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Rebeiro (also a former ambassador) said there had been no instance of a public cremation in Mumbai, at least since Independence.

"All big and small funerals have been performed only at the designated funeral sites. This is something new for Mumbai," Rebeiro told IANS on Sunday.

An official of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who declined to be identified, said that special arrangements were made for the first-ever public cremation in the city at Shivaji Park in view of the massive crowds expected to attend.

A home department official said that in view of the huge crowds likely to turn up for the sad event, it was decided to permit a public cremation at Thackeray's favourite spot, Shivaji Park, which he always referred to as 'Shiv Tirth' (Shiv pilgrim centre).

According to Mumbai police estimates, around 1.50 million people are expected to take part in the cremation Sunday. Starting with a funeral procession from Bandra east, there will be several thousands of viewers lining the streets to witness the procession; around half a million are expected to gather around Shivaji Park.

This will make Thackeray's funeral one of the biggest public events in recent history; massive security arrangements are in place to ensure discipline.

Incidentally, last August, former union minister and ex-Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was accorded a similar public cremation in his tome town of Latur.--IANS

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 11:19 IST

People from all over Maharashtra arrive in Mumbai
Bal Thackeray's funeral procession, dubbed as one of the biggest in recent times, began from his residence 'Matsohree'.

People thronged the roadsides, flyovers, skywalks and balconies of their buildings to catch a glimpse of the Sena patriarch and pay homage to him.

In view of the legions of crowds pouring in to pay their last respects to Balasaheb, it is estimated that the funeral procession would take more than two hours to reach the Sena Bhawan (party headquarters) at Dadar.

Lakhs of Shiv Sainiks are walking along with the funeral procession, shouting slogans in memory of the Shiv Sena supremo.

People were also seen showering flowers on their beloved leader, who breathed his last at 3.30 pm yesterday, after battling prolonged illness.

Scores of Shiv Sainiks arrived in the city from different parts of the state, largely from neighbouring Thane, Raigad, Pune, Aurangabad and Konkan region, which are the bastions of the saffron party, founded on June 19, 1966.

Lakhs of people were waiting since early morning to pay last respects to the leader, some even standing on the street poles.

According to reports, hordes of people are arriving in the metropolis to attend the cremation of the Sena chief, to be held in the evening at 6 pm at the Shivaji Park, for which the Sena has taken special permission.

Thackeray addressed his first speech at the Shivaji Park ground and used to address the annual Dussehra rally there.

The body will be kept at Shiv Sena Bhawan for sometime to allow the party office-bearers to pay their last respects.

Meanwhile, a bandh-like situation prevailed in many parts of the city, Navi Mumbai and Thane in the wake of Balasaheb's death.

"I am going to Mumbai to pay tribute to him. He was our guide and inspiration and was the head of our political family of BJP and Shiv Sena. After his demise both our political parties have been severely dented. We will always keep remembering him," Gadkari told media here.

“I have been in mourning since yesterday because today I had an appointment to meet Bal Thackeray, we were supposed to meet at noon and I had booked a morning flight to Mumbai. At that time I could have never imagined that yesterday at 3:30 in the afternoon I would get the news of his demise. This was shocking news for me, the news that pained and shocked me," said Swaraj.

Thackeray's body will be kept at Mumbai's Shivaji Park till 5 pm for people to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed at 6 pm.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will be unable to attend Thackeray's funeral as he would have to stay in Delhi due to work exigency.

An order was issued recently that in absence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from Delhi due to his foreign visit, either Defence Minister, Finance Minister or Home Minister will stay in Delhi, official sources said.

As the other two will not be in Delhi today, Shinde will have to stay in Delhi and will not be able to attend Thackeray's funeral.

Earlier, condoling the demise of Balasaheb, Shinde said the Shiv Sena chief was a brave leader who remained honest to his principles till his last breath.

"Despite being the leader of the opposition party, he always supported me when I was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He always encouraged me whenever I initiated a good work during my tenure," said Shinde.

Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who was critically ill for the past few days, passed away at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra on Saturday. He was 86.

Thackeray had been suffering from respiratory problems and pancreatic disease.

He is survived by sons Jaidev and Uddhav, who is the Executive President of the party.--ANI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 12:20 IST

Jewellery fhops to be closed on Monday
Jewellers across Mumbai will keep their establishments closed on Monday to mourn the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

"All retailers, wholesalers and jewellers will keep their establishments in Mumbai, including Zaveri Bazar, closed on Monday," said Kumar Jain, the vice president of Mumbai Bullion Association.

On a routine day, the retailers, wholesalers and bullion traders do a business of around Rs250 crore.

Jain said though the shops in Zaveri Bazar are usually shut on Sunday, they chose to close down on Monday also.--PTI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 12:26 IST

Family members and friends mourn Bal Thackeray's death

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 13:00 IST

Procession nears Shiv Sena Bhavan
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's funeral procession moves near Shiv Sena Bhavan. The leader's body will be kept there for some time to enable the supporters to pay their respects.

According to Mumbai Police, lakhs of people, including those gathered at the Shivaji Park where the body will be kept and later cremated, had come out to to pay their last respects to Thackeray, who died at 86 on Saturday afternoon due to prolonged illness.

The Shiv Sainiks were pouring into Mumbai in their thousands from Maharashtra's Thane, Raigad, Pune, Aurangabad and Konkan regions -- the bastions of the right-wing party founded by Thackeray on June 19, 1966.

Police said around two lakh people were travelling with the procession and many others were joining it from connecting roads with the sea of humanity stretching for several kilometres.

People were also trying to catch a glimpse of the leader's body from rooftops, hoardings, trees, water pipes and parapets.

As the procession reached a connecting road in Mahim, many Muslim women were seen silently weeping.

At the Mahim Church, many church-going people were waiting to join the final journey of the leader whose political career spanned five decades.

Wrapped in the tricolour, Thackeray's body was brought out of his house a little after 9 am.

His son Uddhav broke down before the procession started. A glass box carrying the Sena patriarch's body was then loaded onto a truck decked with flowers.

Uddhav, wife Rashmi and son Aditya were on the truck with Thackeray's nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj, his wife Sharmila and their children.

Raj later disembarked and walked behind the truck with the funeral procession, keeping a low profile and eyes firmly on the ground.

Thackeray's cortege will first go to Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters in Dadar, and the body would later be kept at Shivaji Park for people to pay their last respects.

However, the procession was moving extremely slowly with police trying to avoid a stampede.

Over 20,000 policemen, 15 companies of State Reserve Police Force and three contingents of Rapid Action Force had been deployed on the procession route, said a police officer.

After allowing thousands of Shiv Sainiks to pay their respects to Thackeray, the body will be taken to Shivaji Park and kept for a public 'darshan'.

All major roads and public places wore a deserted look, barring some security vehicles. Restaurants, shops and other establishments remained closed. Over a lakh autorickshaws and around 60,000 black and yellow taxis were also off the roads.--PTI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 13:15 IST

As crowds say good bye to Balasaheb, Mumbai remains shut

With Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's body being taken to Shivaji Park in central Mumbai for last rites, the city wore a deserted look as taxis as autorickshaws and private vehicles remained off the roads and shops and other commercial establishments chose to down their shutters.

Even as people thronged to catch a glimpse of the Sena patriarch and pay homage to him, shops, restaurants, hotels, theatres, malls and other commercial establishments remained shut and private vehicles, taxis, autorickshaws remained off the roads. Medical shops in the city as well as in neighbouring Thane were also closed.

Citizens also found it difficult to get milk and vegetables. "We did not get milk this morning and even the vegetable market is shut. I have never come across such silence in the city in my life ever," said Rama Arolla (50), a housewife from BDD chawl in Worli area.
About 20,000 police personnel are keeping a strict vigil in the metropolis to maintain law and order. "No violence has been reported in the city so far," a police officer said.

"Nobody has been asked to shut their shops or malls. Everybody closed their shops voluntarily. Autorickshaws and taxis also voluntarily stopped plying on the roads," the officer added.

Except civic body's BEST buses and suburban railways, no transport is available for the commuters.

"BEST and suburban railways are running additional buses and trains for people's convenience," a railway official said.

While the entire state has been put on alert, in Mumbai alone, over 20,000 city police, 15 companies of the State Reserve Police Force and three contingents of Rapid Action Force have been deployed.

"I appeal to people to remain calm and maintain law and order. Citizens should step out of the houses only if it is urgent." City Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.

Appropriate arrangements have been made at the Shivaji Park, where VIPs are also expected to reach to pay homage, Singh added.--PTI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 14:35 IST

Lakhs come to catch a last glimpse of Bal Thackeray
Lakhs of people on Sunday came out to catch a last glimpse of Balasaheb Thackeray and pay homage to him as the Shiv Sena patriarch's funeral procession started from his residence amidst a complete shutdown with markets shut and taxis and autos off the roads.

The body of 86-year-old Sena leader, who breathed his last yesterday, was taken out of his residence 'Matoshree' in subruban Bandra this morning in a hearse adorned with flowers. The last rites will be performed at Shivaji Park where the Sena supremo addressed his party workers for over four decades since 1966.

Lakhs of people including Shiv Sainiks, who have come from across Maharashtra, joined the funeral procession, shouting slogans in memory of the Shiv Sena supremo. The procession will stop at Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters before moving toward Shivaji Park.

People in huge numbers thronged roadsides, flyovers and balconies of their buildings to catch a glimpse of the Sena leader who roused emotions on Marathi pride and catapulted the party to power in Maharashtra in the 1990s.

A bandh-like situation prevailed in many parts of the city, Navi Mumbai and Thane in the wake of Balasaheb's death. Markets were shut and taxis and autos off the streets. The authorities have advised Mumbaikars to take to the roads only in the case of an emergency.

Extensive security arrangements have been put in place in the state, particularly in Mumbai, with over 20,000 police personnel deployed in the metropolis to keep a tight vigil.

Security has been beefed up at 'Matoshree' and Shivaji Park with vehicular traffic prohibited in and around the area. Shiv Sainiks have also formed a human chain to enable the procession to pass smoothly.--PTI

Sunday, Nov 18, 2012 15:23 IST

Flowers showered, tears shed for Balasaheb Thackeray

People, many of whom turned emotional, showered flowers at the cortege as it passed along the funeral route. Many of them even stood on lamp posts.

Hordes of people reached here from neighbouring Thane, Raigad, Pune, Aurangabad and Konkan region, which are the bastions of the saffron party, to join the funeral.

After being taken to Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters in Dadar, the body would later be kept at Shivaji Park for people to pay their last respects.

The cartoonist-turned politician, known for his strong views and speaking his mind, sometimes bordering on the offensive, breathed his last at 3.30 pm at his residence yesterday.

"The state government has already announced that Thackeray will be accorded a state funeral," state Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty said.

Thackeray is survived by sons Jaidev and Uddhav, who is the Executive President of the party. His nephew Raj had split from the family and found his own Maharashtra Navnirman Sena over six years ago following a succession row.

A rabble rouser, who started out as a cartoonist alongside RK Laxman in the Free Press Journal in the 1950s, founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 on the plank of job security for the Marathi 'manoos' (sons of the soil).

Later, his politics centred around Hindu identity and anti-Congressism and was also unrestrained in his Muslim bashing.

Known for paralysing Bombay, as Mumbai was called then, at any opportunity, Thackeray initially concentrated on the metropolis but later spread his politics throughout the state and tied up with BJP to remain its longest ally till date, sharing the saffron agenda.

Always the kingmaker, Thackeray was largely instrumental in ending the Congress hegemony in Maharashtra when the two parties stormed to power in 1994 and shared power even at the Centre between 1998 and 2004. He never occupied any office.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, BJP leaders LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley have condoled Thackeray's death along with leaders across the political spectrum.--PTI